The following letter appeared in the Daily Telegraph on 26th October 2013:
Autism and education
SIR – Next week, members of the House of Lords will discuss a crucial amendment to the Children and Families Bill. If adopted, it will mean local authorities will make decisions about whether to support disabled young people in education based on their individual needs and aspirations, and not on their age.
Young people with disabilities such as autism can and do thrive and succeed in further education. Yet currently, fewer than one in four access further education and fewer still go on to live independently.
The Children and Families Bill is the Government’s chance to reverse these trends. With the right education and support, disabled young people can become more economically active, and there is a long-term benefit to the state, to their own health and wellbeing, and to their families.
Jolanta Lasota, Chief executive, Ambitious about Autism
Liz Sayce, Chief executive, Disability Rights UK
Di Roberts, Chairman, Association of Colleges
Alison Boulton, Chief executive, Association of National Specialist Colleges: Natspec
On top of all the other recent and current legislative changes relating to health care, social care, and education, we had quite overlooked the The Children and Families Bill…
In summary, the Bill is intended reform the current systems to support children and young people with learning difficulties and disabilities. The proposals have the potential to improve coordination between the multiple agencies involved and to help smooth transition from school into post-16 provision; they are predicated on the introdcuction of the new Education and Health Care (EHC) Plans.
However, many charities and organisations involved in education, social care and learning disability have their reservations about the Bill’s final version, and how it will be implemented – as evidenced by the letter in the Telegraph. Some have specific concerns about the possible consequences for children and adults who do not receive an EHC. For more infomation on this issue, see this briefing page (from June 2013) on the Disability Rights UK website , and perhaps search that website for any later briefings
For information, the Bill is approaching its Report stage in the Lords (3 Days: 9 December 2013, 17 December 2013, 7 January 2014).